The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1883-1893, 1887-12-29

This Merry Making Season Recalls Nis-
ions OF the Old South.
Especial Cor. STATE CHRoSICLE

Especial Cor. STATE CHRONICLE.I
WILLIS CREEK, y c., Dec. %, ISL
In this New South we have much to re-
mind US amid the festive scenes OF
Christmas that the Old South fingers with
Us Ike an impressive dream
The usual wedding, the Unfair, the
Christmas tree, bring to Us the happy
long ago, and make Us feel that behold all
things have not entirely become anew.
The window lattice stands open IN the
mansion and the darhies peep IN TO see
the marriage, their white eyes and teeth
shining a rejection TO the bright fire glow
ing from the tai pine knots
In the grove among the vehicles there
are only one or TWO close carriages with
their open and shut flight of stairs. Sher-
mans bummers may have solled the cush-
ions with grease from hams boarded for
hard times or some welcome guest, but
there Is no stain On the escutcheon OF the
occupants. Grand people IN prosperity,
they are grander IN adversely.
The old aunties have ''G0d bless young
Missus" for the bride, and hold the open
hand still for "a pipe of tobacco, honey
from young Massa.
4 few bucks are there and Jump around
lively to hitch III your horse, knowing be
fore the table is cleared they VIII not be
forgotten.
At the Unfair the old hour still contin-
ues the fayorite and the violin and piano
ring out in pleasant memories, "Nassa 5
in de cold cold ground, and you pat
YOUR feet when they come TO kun nlSger
run the patrOler catch you, and you for
get that the old South Is fast fiickerlng
out in an eternal adieu.
The bows b!underbuss from the pork
slaughter is beng displaced by the fire
cracker, and TN horns toot the exclusion
Of the huntsman's cowhorn.
We have been enjoying, as OF old, these
wouted Christmas gayetles, and even tried
| to Join IN when the maiden at the piano
would sing, ''Maryland, my Maryland, or
| .The moon on the leaf shines bright, love
! aad other past and gone melodies.
hidden in the molly leaves Of the Christ
mas tree, We find miniature Confederate
| battle-Hag with It's red ground and blue
! cross and white stars, and for the moment
our breast heayes, our eyes sparkle, South
ern manhood breathes for moment, We ut
terra sigh, perhaps a tear falls on the cheek,
q lady touches our elbow, Major that's
for YOU, and the emblem is p.aced in oul
breast-pocket near the heart. Can | ever
forSake thee, O land Of my brave fore
\ fathers? We are loyal to the powers thai
| be. but may the day never come when
4 shall have no soft spot IN my heart to bt
touched by the ensign which rallied tn,
brave Southerner and under which st
many of them fell.
Tie bows of the rising generation don
know what that little flag is. They neye
saw one and those whose glory 1t repre-
sents will soon know it 10 more forever.
Anarchism, nihilism and other moderl
social problems remain to be solved, AM
other battle flags will rally them when tn
toc5in Of war again sounds-Whlle W
will be far away DER the billow.
May the memories and inspirations o
the Old South blaze out the true course 70
them to follow and Southern glory remall
dndmmed
But cocoanut pies and potato pies am
syllabub don't agree with Us as 1t dl
thirty years ago, and we feel Ike we wer
bilious. BE ye angry and sin not, S
we must be cheerful, hopeful and neigh
borly, in spite of dyspeptlc vagarles:
our spouse has cut off our supplies an
placed US on corn bread and pork ham
and we are improving, at least we are abl
to be up and write. She hopes Will &c
no more invitations to feastS, unless
can deny myself. Sick or well, | say
hurrah for Christmas-in your cycle yO
come very fast these days, IN old time
YOU came too slow Such is a picture {
our lives, we begin at slow walk and G
out at a gallop. CUPID.